Denis Gibbons (1937 – 2011) Trained with the Australian Army, before travelling to Vietnam in January 1966, Denis stayed with the 1st Australian Task Force in Nui Dat working as a photographer. For almost five years Gibbons toured with nine Australian infantry battalions, posting compelling war images from within many combat zones before being flown out in late November 1970 after sustaining injuries. The images held within the National Vietnam Veterans Museum make up the Gibbons Collection. A black and white photograph of a medic at the 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, placing instruments to be sterilized in an autoclave following surgery. Instruments and equipment were cleaned immediately following use to maintain readiness at the hospital.photograph, 1st australian field hospital, vung tau, medic, gibbons collection catalogue, denis gibbons, photographer, vietnam war, autoclave, medical equipment

A black board with white text about "5RAR "Operation Canberra"6th-10th Oct 1966"5RAR "Operation Canberra" 6th-10th Oct1966 Premilinary clearance of a Mountain prior to Operation Robin. Photos depic the evacuation of wounded 8 platoon soldiers after engaging with VC trail watchers then booby trap explosions on the southern slope of Nui Thi Vai - 8th Oct 1966 A landing zone (LZ) was hand cleared from dense jungle to enable a helicopter to land for evacuation for the wounded.honours and awards, 5 rar

An original coloured painting showing a truck rolled over with its load rations on the ground. One soldier is holding a box and another soldier is drinking from a vessel.2 Transport Platoon RAASC South Vietnam. Rations on their way to Aussie troops in Nui Dat. One truck in the convoy swerved to avoid an American semi carrying ammunitions. The wheels found the soft muddy edge of the rice paddy, and ... into the mud!. My son Trooper barry "Jock" Tiernan is pictured as one of the men rescuing the load from the mud. the other soldier is Ray Heathcote, driver of the truck.painting, vietnam lest we forget, barry "jock" tiernan, ray heathcote

Framed mounted - Military Medal Keith Downward; Australian Active Service Medal with clasp Vietnam; Vietnam Medal; Australian Defence Medal; Australian National Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with clasp 1960. A certified True Copy of the citation for the Military Medal. Aluminium frame olive matt board, 6 medals and plaque. 1 infantry combat badge, 1 rising sun badge, 1 7RAR Corps badge, 3 black and white Photograph, Photograph 1 reads Pte Keith Downward receives the ribbon of the Military Medal from his Commanding Officer Major Jake O'Donnell at the 1st Australian Task Force Base (1ATF), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 2 reads Pte Keith Downward, the first Military Medal Winner from 7th battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), Nui Dat, South Vietnam 25th February 1968. Photograph 3 reads Major General R W Knights, General Officer Commanding (GOC), Southern Command congratulates Military Medal recipient Keith Downward 7RAR accompanied by his wife Ann, for single handedly capturing an enemy machine gun post. Captain Ernest G Crooks MBE looks on.3788618 Pte. Keith Downard M.M. / A Company 7 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment / the Military Medal was awarded for his actions during the battle of Suoi Chau Pha on 6th August 1967./ The training platoon of 7 RAR is named the Downward MM platoon in honour of Keith Downard7 rar, keith downward, military medal, battle of suoi chau pha, maj jake o'donnell, maj gen r w knights, capt ernest g crooks, a coy, downard

An Poster, Information Board of The 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment ("Battalion") were the leading element of the First Australian Task Force (1 ATF) and stationed in vietnam from 1966 - 1967. The Battalion's task was to break Viet Cont control over the central region of Phuoc Tuy Province - an area that communists had freely operated in since 1945. Commencing of the 24th May 1966, the Battalion conducted its first operation codenamed "Hardihood". Their objective was to sweep and clear areas of the north and east of Nui Dat to a distance of 5000 meters, then create a defensive position to enable 1 ATF to establish an operational base.5 rar, 1 atf, viet cong, phuoc tuy province, nui dat, nui thai vai mountains, 274 vc regiments, 275 vc regiments, military awards, rj o'neill, operation canberra, operation queanbeyan, operation hardihood, poster, information board

A black and white photograph of Maj Neville Smethurst MBE 2IC of the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (1970-1971) at Ambassador Harry's residence in Saigon. Maj Smethurst has just refused to accept the presentation of the "Polar Medal" from the Ambassador, telling him he was going to receive it back in Australia with his wife and family present. The Ambassador conceded and the medal was put away. Maj. Smethurst then told of his experiences on Antarctia to the assembled embassy officials, while enjoying some champagne cocktails with some delicious "finger food". After spending a pleasant night in Saigon maj Smethurst returned to Nui Dat.photograph, 7 rar, nui dat, saigon, ambassador harry, maj neville smethurst, gibbons collection catalogue, polar medal, mbe

Vietnam War Troops of the 1st Australian Armoured Regiment during a briefing at Vung Tau In 1967, the Royal Australian Armoured Corps' (RAAC), 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) Squadron transferred to "A" Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment Vietnam. Although they successfully conducted combat operations in their areas of operation(s) (AOs), reports from the field stated that their light-armour (M-113 ACAVs) were unable to force their way through dense jungle[15] limiting their offensive actions against enemy forces. The Australian government, under criticism from Parliament, decided to send a Squadron of Australian Centurion tanks to South Vietnam.[15] The 84 mm-gunned[16] Australian Centurions of 'C' Squadron, 1st Armoured Regiment landed in the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) on 24 February 1968, and were headquartered at Nui Dat in III Corps (MR3).[17] 52 Ton main battle TankARN Number 169090 and tacsign 106tank armoured vietnam centurion mbt

This is one of the last 50 x 105 mm cannon shells fired in Sth Vietnam..1) Brass Cannon Shell rimmed. .2) Cardboard tube with end caps to hold shell. .3) Card, RAA Badge..1) Base of shell stamped: “105 mm M14 Type 1 Lot ERM-1-43 1943” Place at base: “Presentation case number 31 of 50. Fired at Nui Dat Sth Vietnam by A Field Battery on the occasion of the Centenary of the Battery, 1 August 1971 whilst on active service with 12 field Regt RAA” .2) Marked: “Container M105A2 UAC 105 mm HOW” .3) Card: “This cartridge is number 31 of 50. Presented to Col Comdt E Comb by the Commanding Officer and all Ranks 12 Field Regiment RAA, Sth Vietnam 1971”.arms-ammunition, military history-army

An Poster, Information Board on 5 RAR 1st Tour 1966 to 1967. Below a black and white photograph reads: 5 RAR Operation Canberra 6th to 10th October 1966. Lance Corporal Shoebridge and Lance Corporal Brian supporting Private Riik and Private Birties securing weapons. Resulting from a booby trap explosion, 7 members of C Company 8 platoon were wounded when ascending the Nui Thi Vai mountain on the 8th Oct 1966. Overcoming difficult terrain, C Company prepared a landing zone (LZ) on the slopes for evacuation of the wounded - (Medevac). Under a coloured photograph of sodliers reads; 5 RAR - Bush Bashing 1966. Members of C Company 9 platoon after days of bush bashing - a soldier's term used to describe days of navigating dense terrain and vegetation while being always at the ready for enemy contact. Under a coloured photograph of APC reads: 5 RAR - Operation Hayman 8th to 12 November. Armoured Personnel carriers supporting 5 RAR during staging/forming mode prior to being air-lifted on to the summit of Nui Nua on Long Son Island. The Battalion's objective was to capture or eliminate the Chau Duc District VC Company that had been restricting movements of the local regional force. Thirteen Viet Cong survived and surrended days later to mainland police. Under a coloured photograph of soldiers walking on a log over water reads: 5 RAR - Hat Bands. The Viet Cong occasionally wore the same or similiar headgear as the Australian forces in an attempt to create confusion when contact was made. In the short term this was remedied by threading a coloured ribbon around the Australian bush hat. The ribbon served as an identification marker so as to quickly identify an Australian soldier from the enemy. Colours were regularly changed.5 rar, c coy, operation canberra, operation hayman, pte riik, l/cpl shoebridge, l/cpl brian

Peter Ball was conscripted for two years National Service beginning on 23.4.1969 Regt No 3796117. Postings, Recruit Training Puckapunyal Vic, Infantry Corp Training Singleton NSW, Infantry Corp Reinforcement Wing Ingleburn NSW, Jungle Training Centre Canungra QLD 3 weeks, ankle injury 5.9.69, return to Ingleburn, Basic Signals Course Ingleburn 5.11.69 - 10.12.69, Volunteered for service Vietnam, passed medically fit, fly out 3.3.1970 for Saigon, posted to Reinforcement Wing Nui Dat for 3 weeks acclimatisation training, posted to 6 Pl B Coy 8 RAR 25.3.70, embark HMAS Sydney for Australia 1.11.70, disembark Brisbane 12.11.70, posted to Enogerra Barracks Brisbane, posted to Vic Barracks Melbourne 5.3.1971 for discharge, posted to Sale 2 weeks with CMF fortnight Camp, discharged from the Army 23.4.1971 with the rank of PTE. Enlist in the CMF Geraldton WA in A Coy 16 RWAR on 24.6.1978 same Regt No, discharged re interstate transfer on 18.2.1981, rank L/Cpl.Pay Book No C 23443, brown covers with green tape on binding, print in black on front, hand written in black texta, white label on with hand writing in blue pen, 40 pages with entries in blue & red hand writing, large purple “DISCHARGED” stamp on many pages, rear page has a yellow envelope taped on with 3 X “Pay Book variation Authority” slips in, off white, layout in green, typing in black with red hand written items on, rear page cover has photo of a soldier with name, rank and date onFront cover in texta, “3796117 BALL PETER CHARLES”, date stamp on page 1 “23 APR 1969”, rear page photo date has ,”26.4.69”. Pay book Variations Authorities dated, “14.12.70, 14.12.70, 15.12.70” pay books, administrative record, soldiers

Operation Hammersley , 10 February until 9 March 1970, was undertaken by a combined force of: C Company, 8th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (8RAR); armoured personnel carriers from 3 Cavalry Regiment; tanks from 1 Armoured Regiment; sappers from the Royal Australian Engineers; a mortar section from 8RAR’s Support Company; air support, and even a Navy destroyer off-shore to provide gunfire support. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills. The Long Hai hills were a stronghold for the Viet Cong, who used the caves there as a bunker complex and had planted many landmines and booby traps in the area. Over two fierce weeks, 8 RAR carried out patrols and conducted ambushes, engaging VC troops and eventually capturing the bunker system. However, it was a costly campaign. In total, over 70 Australians were killed or wounded during the operation. The worst day for mine casualties in Australia's war in Vietnam occurred on 28 February 1970. It became known as 'Black Saturday". Nine members of 8RAR were killed and 29 wounded. This item is the Order of Service from the memorial service held at Nui Dat on 3 April 1970 to honour those killed at Long Hai. It was issued to the donor, National Serviceman G G Ravenscroft, who was serving in 1 Platoon, A Company 8RAR during Operation Hammersley, and received a minor shrapnel wound on Black Saturday.Two typed A-4 pages that have been folded into booklet, now flattened and framed. Listed are the prayers, Bible readings and sermon given, along with the names of the 8 fallen soldiers, and the chaplains who officiated.8rar, long hai, long hai hills, black saturday, 1970, operation hammersley, ravenscroft, geoff ravenscroft, memorial service

Coleridge, Michael Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Phuoc Hai, beside the road leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon and search by 7RAR of the village of Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was part of Operation Atherton, conducted by 2RAR/NZ (ANZAC) (the ANZAC Battalion comprising 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and a component from the 1st Battalion, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) and7 RAR. Left to right Private Peter Capp (kneeling), Pte Bob Fennell (crouching, facing camera), Corporal Bob Darcy (left of Fennell), Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front), Pte Ian Jury (cnetre, back, holding rifle), Pte Colin Barnett (front, right), Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (left of Barnett), the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter is operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Vietnam Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra ACT, dedicated in October 1992)operation ulmarra, operation atherton, 7 rar, iroquois, dat do, phuoc hai, 2nd battalion royal australian regiment, 2 rar/nz, pte peter capp, pte bob fennell, cpl bob darcy, pte neal hasted, pte ian jury, pte colin barnett, l/cpl stan whitford, pte john raymond gould, 162nd assault helicopter company

Caption under print. Soldiers of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7 RAR, preparing to board VS Iroquois helicopters during operation Ulmarrah, the cordon and search of Lang Phuoc Hai Village, South Vietnam, 26 August 1967". Members of 5 Platoon, B Company, 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR), just north of the village of Lang Phuoc Hai, beside Route 44 leading to Dat Do. United States Army Iroquois helicopters are landing to take them back to Nui Dat after completion of Operation Ulmarra, the cordon-and-search by 7RAR of the coastal village of Lang Phuoc Hai. Operation Ulmarra was conducted by 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and 7RAR with support elements. Left to right: Private (Pte) Peter Capp (kneeling); Pte Bob Fennell (leaning over, facing camera, with an ammunition belt for an M60 machine gun slung over his shoulder); Corporal Bob D'Arcy (partly obscured behind Fennell); Pte Neal Hasted (centre, front); Pte Ian Jury (partly obscured, centre, rear, holding rifle); Pte Colin Barnett (front, right, M60 ammunition belt on back, back of head to camera); Lance Corporal Stan Whitford (partly obscured behind Barnett); the helicopter marshal at right is Pte John Raymond Gould, 7RAR. The United States Army Iroquois UH-1D helicopter was operated by 2 Platoon, 162nd Assault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion. (Having achieved almost the status of an icon, this image was chosen for, and is etched on, the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial on Anzac Parade, Canberra, ACT, dedicated in October 1992). Source AWM Print donated and dedicated to 3789179 FRANK FRIGERIO, 5 Platoon, B Company, 7RAR. See also Cat No. 3543-3549.3Print - coloured print of a photograph depicting three helicopters coming in to land above a dirt road with several groups of soldiers in uniform with jungle vegetation in the background. Frame - black painted metal.See in context, historical - caption under print.prints, framed, accessories, vietnam war

Vietnam War veteran An enthralling account of an Australian infantryman and his companions in the Vietnam War. On Friday 8th March 1968, 20-year-old Gary McKay lost the lottery. He was conscripted. From a comfortable and carefree life of surfing and rugby football, he was drafted into the deadly serious preparation for war in the jungles of South Vietnam. In Good Company is his story told in his own words. It begins with induction and selection for the officer academy for national servicemen at Scheyville, a six-month 'pressure cooker' course which produced second lieutenants ready to lead troops into action against the Viet Cong. It ends three and a half years later with a burst of NVA machine-gun fire during a battle among enemy-held bunkers in the hills of Nui Le. Here is a grass-roots account of the blood, sweat and tears shared by a rifle platoon in jungle warfare, a straightforward story of the fears and the camaraderie which soldiers experience in combat. Gary McKay fashioned this account from his experience in action, leading his platoon. The detail is provided from the 80 letters he wrote to his wife while he served. He wrote his story for the reader who wants to know what the soldier on the ground went through - in the fetid jungle, in battle. Anyone who wants to understand what service in South Vietnam meant to those who were there should read this book. 'Reading In Good Company leaves a vivid and disconcerting impression of how the Vietnam War smelt, felt and sounded. One of the most honest and affecting war memoirs which Australians have so far published.' - Mark Thomas, Canberra Times 'An enthralling, accurate account of infantry soldiering in the Vietnam era. Very readable; a must for those who have never experienced combat and a vivid reminder for all veterans.' - Major General M. P. Blake, AM, MC, former CO 5th Battalion RARGary John McKay MC (born 1947) is a writer and former Australian Army officer. He was awarded the Military Cross while serving with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment during the Vietnam War.[1] He later served as Commanding Officer of 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment between 1988 and 1990Soft cover non fiction book

A black and white photograph of a Group photo of the placed runners in the 5000 metre footrace from the market place at Long Dien. The race was run on the Vietnamese National DayTHE GREAT HUNG VUONG DAY ROAD RACE - 15th APRIL 1970: Hung Vuong Day, 15th April 1970, the Vietnamese National Day commemorating the events of the birth of the Vietnamese Race, is on of the most important festivals of the Vietnamese Memorabilia. The placed contestant athletics in the 5000 metre foot race from the market place at Long Dien, south east of Nui Dat, the 1st Australian Task force Base, along national Route 23 to the town square at Baria (Phuoc Le), the Phuoc Tuy Province Capital. The multi coloured shirts of the various contestants, from the numerous military and civilian units in the province and the Australian Task Force looked out of place in the war zone. It took 17 minutes, 5 seconds for the outright winner to get to the finish, a strapping young SAS soldier, Trooper John Thurgar, from Scone, N.S.W. of the 1st Special Air Service Squadron, one of the Australian contestants. The first prize, silver cup, was presented to Trooper Thrugar by Colonel Tu, The Province Chief, Colonel Peter Falkland, the 1st Australian Task Force Deputy Commander presented the first Vietnamese contestant across the finish line with a silver cup. In all there were trophies for the first siz places by the Vietnamese and the "visitors", SAS took the first three Australian/New Zealand places whilst the last three came from other 1st Australian Task Force Units, the first prize for each of the individual winners was a large silver cup, for the next five runners up, by the Australians there was a smaller silver cup, for the Vietnamese first place there was a silver cup the same size as for the Australian, outright, winner, while the next five Vietnamese runners up received a parcel of clothing and towels.photograph, 1st sas sqn, baria, phuoc tuy province, vietnamese national day, gibbons collection catalogue, great hung vuong day road race, trooper john thurgar, national route 23, nui dat, long dien village, col tu, col peter falkland, 1st atf base, sas

Three piece Poster, Information Board. Left on dark green background with yellow Corps Emblem with white text on the history of Vietnam during their 1st and 2nd tour. Centre section there is a coloured photograph of four soldiers standing in a field and four black and white Photograph to the right of the board of soldiers patrolling and resupplying with helicopter. On the right on a dark green background is a Roll of Honour to the many soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam.2 RAR: This photo was taken by Elvon King of Delta Company in September of 1967. This photo was chosen without the knowledge of the historical significance of the shot, which proved to be very momentous. For within a very short time (about 30 seconds) of the photo being taken a wayward rocket from a U.S. gunship landed amongst this group of men in the photo, resulting in three of them being killed and forteen being wounded. Elvon King was one of the wounded. The three men in the photo are left to right Dennis (Dave) Enright who lost a and foot in the incident. Harry Leggett who received shrapnel wounds, and Stan Radomi who was killed outright. A very poignant moment in time. these thoughts about the incident from Wally Musgrave was one of those severly wounded at the time. What could have been a sunny afternoon at a Newcastle or Bondi Hotel or beer Garden..... After what could have been a week of patrolling, it was back inside the wire to scrub up and top up on fluids. Next morning, at 9.00, we went out side of the wire for a fire power, demonstration to satisfy a visiting General. The sun was shining, no seating, grass wasn't cut but we were young and so we thought bullet proof. then someone asked for the old Iroguois gun ship which had been firing rockets at a dead tree to be swung around to fire rockets over our heads. Why?? I haven't given "why" that much thought, but the 1 metre long port side rocket tumbled down amongst us and I'm sure everyone who was there can close their eyes and still see it today. This tumbling rocket landed where these three mates were standing amongst 11 and 12 platoon's young soldiers, chatting in the sun, then we were sailing through the air. I didn't see the devastation myself. I was under bodies. As first Dustoff priority we were off to 36 Evacuation Hospital at Vung Tau. There were two doos, one to the Morgue and one at the Hospital. Lucky me. I went through the Hospital door. eight major operations at once. three dead, forteen wounded and nothing on record!! Yeah it was a lovely Sunny Day at Nui Dat., we'll leave it at that! We can't change yesterday. I'm just another Nazho.poster, information board, 2 rar, elvon king

Brief history of unit in Vietnam including Honour Roll, three colour Photograph. 1st photograph - Pte PJ 'Jim' Flower 4 RAR SVN 1971. 2nd photograph - Pte DT Tom Hanley and Pte Terry A Croton (smoking) 1971. 3rd photograph - 4 RAR Soldiers on 3 Cav M1113 Phuoc Tuy 1971,4 rar, pte jim flower, pte tom hanley, pte terry croton, poster, information board, phuoc tuy, lt col jim hughes mc, wo1 w.t.c. "wally" thompson, operation ivanhoe, battle of nui le

Hand made can opener with brass base, black metal star (?) upright and lever with hinge and two piercing spikes. Empty steel beer can "Miller High Life" punctured on top by opener.D Company, 7RAR 67/68can opener, 7 rar, d company, nui dat

Filmosound GB Bell & Howell film projector c1950, wood and masonite, two tone grey casing, metal projector inside, 16mm, 110v, 10amp, 2 reels. Tripod stand, metal grey with wing nut and screw adjustment.7 rar, projector, filmosound, nui dat, infantry

An Poster, Information Board on 5 RAR. The 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR) was raised at Holsworthy Barracks NSW on the 1st March 1965 It was the first of nine rotating battalions composed of half regular army and half national servicement (draftees) that were committed to active service in South Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. 5 RAR was the initail infantry element of the first Australian Task Force (1 ATF) Vietnam. the Battalion conducted two tours of duty5 rar, poster, information board, 1 atf, nui dat, phuoc tuy province, viet cong, battle of binh ba, lt col warr, lt col colin khan, military awards, wounded serviceman, r j o'neill, guerrilla warfare

A framed display consisting of mounted board with five cut out displaying two RAE Badges, one RAE Corps badge, colour photograph of HQ 1 Field SQN Niu Dat 1970 Phuoctuy Province South Vietnam, Box displaying one field torch, one bayonet, one field pistol, two bullets and one tunnel rats round sticker depicting graffic.On back of business card 'Lindsay Christensen' Specialised framing. On front - pistol has no. 1935 gp. Torch has no.6230 -99 - 910 - 5033.tunnel rats, framed display, rae, 1 field squadron raf, nui dat

Produced for Vietnam servicemen. This set was worn by Gregory Carl Juckert, Service No: 3793918, Australian Army Catering Corps, a National Serviceman who cooked for 161 Reconnaissance Flight, 17/07/1968 - 16/07/1969.Five (5) medals with ribbons displayed in a blue velvet box on white silk in a lined display box.From left to right: The Australian Active Service Medal / 1945-1975, on bar: Vietnam Regina FD Elizabeth11 Dei gratia The Australian Defence Medal Anniversary of National Service 1951-1972: 1960 Gold and enamel medal with a map of Vietnam in the centre.nui dat sun corps, service medals, catering corps, juckert, g juckert, vietnam, 161 recce

Ill, maps, p.336.non-fictionOn the afternoon of 18 August 1966, just five kilometres from the main Australian Task Force base at Nui Dat, a group of Viet Cong soldiers walked into the right flank of Delta Company, 6 RAR. Under a blanket of mist and heavy monsoon rain, amid the mud and shattered rubber trees, a dispersed Company of 108 men held its ground with courage and grim determination against a three-sided attack from a force of 2,500 Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army troops. When the battle subsided, 18 Australian soldiers lay dead and 24 had been wounded. Battlefield clearance revealed 245 enemy bodies with captured documents later confirming the count at over 500 enemy killed and 800 wounded. These men were led by a gruff and gusty perfectionist, Major Harry Smith. Now, some 47 years after the battle, Harry tells his story for the first time. But Long Tan is more than just an account of a historic battle. Harry Smith takes his readers on an extraordinary journey - one that ultimately reveals a remarkable cover-up at the highest military and political echelons. Long Tan is also Harry's life story and portrays his many personal battles, from failed marriages to commando-style killing; from a horrific parachute accident through to his modern-day struggles with bureaucracy for recognition for his soldiers. Harry's battles are tempered by his love of sailing, where he has at last found some peace. Long Tan portrays the wrenching, visceral experience of a man who has fought lifelong battles, in a story that he is only now able to tell. Harry can still hear the gunfire and smell the blood spilt at Long Tan. For him, the fight continues. Collapse summary vietnam conflict - australian involvement, vietnam war 1961-1975 – battles – long tan

Photo of two soliders (Bill Henderson and Trish Ferguson) in jungle greens having a drinkprint, bill henderson, trish ferguson, nui dat

A black and white photograph at 1st Australian Field Hospital, Vung Tau, South Vietnam, patients ready for discharge attend the hospital pack store to collect their personal belongings and clothing in readiness to return to their unitsphotograph, 1st australian field hospital, 1 atf, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman

A black and white photograph of - At the 1st Australian Field Hospital a sign shows layout of the hospital complex and local orders (note text is missing from the bottom of the photograph)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, 1 atf, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue

A coloured photograph - At the 1st Australian Field Hospital a surgical team works on a wounded patient (note text is missing from bottom of the photograph)photograph, 1st australian field hospital, 1 atf, nui dat, gibbons collection catalogue, wounded serviceman

Black Framed Document. Document outline History and Specifications of Bell OH58-A Helicopter with 161 RECCE SQN.framed document, oh58a, kiowa, 161 reconnaissance squadron, nui dat

An informatation board of the 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment conducted sixteen major operation and numerous company sized sweep during its second tour. Cordons and search, search and destroy, ambush, and clearing patrols were conducted at company, platoon and sectional levels.poster, information board, 5 rar, battle of binh ba, battle honour, 1 atf, nui thai vai mountains, phuoc tuy province, viet cong, 33 nva regiment, guerrilla warfare, may tao mountains, hat dich, capt d s wilkins